A Virgin Australia flight from Brisbane to Melbourne was met by firefighters after landing on Sunday afternoon due to smoke coming from a vape onboard. According to The Guardian and Daily Mail, the pilots of flight VA328 issued a 'pan' call, indicating an urgent but less severe situation than a mayday.
Key Takeaways
A Virgin Australia flight from Brisbane to Melbourne was met by firefighters after smoke was seen coming from an activated vape on board. The Boeing 737 landed safely, and passengers disembarked normally.
- Virgin Australia flight VA328 issued a 'pan' call due to a vape activating in the cabin during descent
- Firefighters followed the aircraft as a precaution and removed the device from the plane
- Lithium-ion batteries in vapes pose fire risks, especially when damaged or overheating
- Airlines have strict policies on carrying vapes and power banks as carry-on luggage only
A passenger alerted the crew when smoke was seen coming from the vape device. The Boeing 737 aircraft landed safely and taxied to the gate where passengers were able to disembark normally. Aviation Rescue firefighters followed the aircraft as a precaution and subsequently removed the device from the plane.
The incident highlights concerns about lithium-ion batteries in vapes, which can pose fire risks when damaged or overheating. As reported by Daily Mail, planes were put in a holding pattern above Melbourne Airport following the fire breaking out in the cabin of flight VA328 during its landing approach.
The aircraft carried equipment to suppress fire damage from lithium batteries, and vapes must be held in carry-on luggage only. This incident comes after Virgin Australia introduced new rules for power banks following a similar incident in July. The airline's spokesperson emphasized that the safety of guests and crew is their highest priority.
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